No. 8 in the Peninsula District: Menchville

As we lead up to the Daily Press football section’s publication on Aug. 29, we will do a day-by-day countdown with a preview on each team. We started Friday with our pick for 10th place, and we’ll finish on the 29th with our predicted Peninsula District champion.

OFFENSE: One of the worst-kept secrects in the PD is that the Monarchs will try to get the ball in Richardson’s hands as much as possible. He spent most of preseason at QB, where he played some as a sophomore. Either way, he’ll be the playmaker — as his 1,268 rushing yards in ’09 would suggest. Menchville needs more threats, and Byron is hoping Jackson can become one. The line is young.

DEFENSE: This is where the improvement has to be. The Monarchs gave up 39 points and 345 yards a game last season — both figures were last in the PD. But Byron has been pleased with how this group has looked in preason, including scrimmages. Three transfers — LB Takari Highsmith from Hampton, LB Tyler Anderson from Germany (military), and DE Jordan Harris from Oklahoma — are expected to start.

THE COACH SAYS: “Without a doubt, we have to be better on defense. You can’t win in the Peninsula District if you give up that kind of yards. So our goals are: one, to stop the run, and two, to not give up any big plays. Both of those things are going to be extremely important. But the mindset is different this season. There’s some confidence that we can compete, and that hasn’t always been here.”

BOTTOM LINE: Menchville has the rare, and unwanted, distinction of being the only team in Peninsula District history to go 2-8 four consecutive years. (Of course, going 1-9 or worse four straight years, like Gloucester, is worse). The Monarchs know they need to get out of that rut, and this would be a good year to do it. Richardson is electrifying, and all he needs is some help from his teammates. The opener against Warwick could be telling.